I used to recommend cabinet painting for nearly every kitchen we looked at. Then I walked into a kitchen in Palmer Ranch where the homeowner had painted her own cabinets three years earlier, and they were already peeling. The problem wasn't her technique - it was that the particle board boxes were swelling from Florida humidity, and no paint in the world could fix that structural issue.
That experience changed how I evaluate kitchens. The "right" choice between painting, refacing, and replacing depends entirely on your cabinet condition, not just your budget. Painting cabinets that should be replaced is a waste of money. Replacing cabinets that could be painted is an even bigger waste.
What You're Really Choosing Between
Cabinet painting costs $3,500-6,500 for an average Sarasota kitchen with about 25 doors. The process involves removing doors and drawers, spraying them with professional equipment for a factory-like finish, and reinstalling everything. It takes 3-5 days with low disruption to your life. Everything structural stays the same - you're changing the color and refreshing the appearance.
Refacing runs $8,000-15,000 for that same kitchen. New doors and drawer fronts get installed while the existing cabinet boxes get covered with matching veneer or laminate. You can completely change the door style - switching from raised panel to shaker, for instance - while keeping your layout. Same timeline as painting, slightly more disruption.
Replacement means $15,000-35,000 for stock to semi-custom cabinets, or $30,000-60,000 for custom. Everything comes out, walls get repaired, new cabinets get installed. It takes 2-4 weeks and your kitchen is essentially unusable during that time. But you can change everything - layout, storage solutions, cabinet sizes, the works.
The Cabinet Condition Test
Walk into your kitchen and do this assessment. Open drawers and cabinet doors. Do they operate smoothly, or do they stick and bind? Look inside the cabinet boxes - is the material solid, or is it particle board that's swelling or delaminating? Check the doors for warping by laying a straightedge across them. Look at the finish - is it intact, or peeling and checking?
If your boxes are solid, doors are flat, and everything operates properly, painting makes sense. The structure is good, and you're essentially giving it a fresh finish that should last 10-15 years.
If the boxes are solid but the doors are damaged, warped, or you hate the style, refacing delivers the most value. You're getting new doors on a good foundation.
If the boxes are deteriorating, if you need layout changes, or if the cabinets are builder-grade particle board from 25 years ago, replacement is probably your best long-term choice. Painting or refacing cabinets that are failing structurally means you'll be back to square one within a few years.
The Real Cost Decision
Here's how we talk clients through the math. For that 25-door kitchen, painting runs about $5,000 on average and adds $8,000-12,000 in home value. That's 160-240% return on investment. Refacing at $12,000 adds $15,000-20,000 in value for 125-167% return. Replacement at $25,000 adds $20,000-28,000 in value for 80-112% return.
Painting delivers the highest ROI because the cost is low relative to the visual impact. If you're selling within three years, painting in a popular color like white or gray makes obvious financial sense.
Refacing ROI maximizes when you're staying five or more years and need a style change. The boxes you're keeping are excellent quality, and paying for new doors anyway, so covering the boxes to match makes sense.
Replacement ROI maximizes when you're staying ten or more years, doing a full kitchen remodel, or when current cabinets are actually failing. The layout improvements and long-term durability justify the higher cost.
Florida Humidity Reality
Our climate affects every option differently. For painted cabinets, we must use humidity-resistant products specifically formulated for Florida conditions. Proper prep prevents the adhesion issues that cause peeling. Quality products cost more but last dramatically longer in our moisture-heavy environment.
Refacing has its own concerns. Thermofoil doors can delaminate in heat - we've seen it happen near ovens and in kitchens without adequate AC. Quality veneer adhesion is critical. The cheaper refacing products fail faster in Florida than they would up north.
For replacement, avoid particle board in wet areas. Plywood construction handles our humidity far better. Proper installation prevents moisture issues that would compromise the cabinets over time.
When Hybrid Approaches Make Sense
Not every kitchen falls neatly into one category. We've done projects where we painted the upper cabinets and replaced worn lower cabinets that take more abuse. We've painted most of a kitchen but refaced the island where the client wanted a contrasting style. We've replaced damaged sections and painted the rest when budget was tight.
The point is flexibility. Mixed cabinet conditions, budget constraints, or specific problem areas can all justify combining approaches.
If It Were My Kitchen
Here's my honest assessment based on what I see every week. If my cabinets were structurally sound with solid boxes and flat doors, and I just didn't like the color anymore, I'd paint them without hesitation. Professional painting costs less than half of refacing, looks fantastic, and lasts over a decade.
If my door style felt hopelessly dated - think raised panel cathedral doors from 1998 - and the boxes were good quality, I'd reface. New shaker doors would modernize the look completely.
If I was doing a full remodel, moving appliances, or dealing with failing cabinets, I'd replace. Half-measures on a kitchen that needs fundamental changes just postpone the inevitable.
Get an Honest Assessment
Not sure which option fits your Sarasota kitchen? We'll look at your cabinet condition and give you a straight answer - even when that answer is "these need replacing and painting would be a waste of your money."
Schedule your free assessment and we'll walk through your options with real numbers for your specific kitchen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is painting cabinets cheaper than refacing?
Yes, painting is typically 40-60% less expensive than refacing. For an average Sarasota kitchen, painting costs $3,500-6,500 while refacing costs $8,000-15,000. Painting works best when cabinet boxes and doors are in good condition. Refacing makes sense when you want completely different door styles.
Is refacing cabinets worth it compared to replacement?
Refacing is worth it when cabinet boxes are solid but doors are dated or damaged. Refacing costs 40-50% of replacement ($8,000-15,000 vs $15,000-35,000) and takes less time. However, if layout changes are needed or boxes are deteriorating, full replacement provides better long-term value.
How do I decide between painting and replacing cabinets?
Choose painting if cabinets are structurally sound, doors are not warped, you like the layout, and budget is limited. Choose replacement if cabinets are damaged or low quality, you want layout changes, drawer/door function is poor, or you're doing a full kitchen remodel. Painting typically works for 60-70% of kitchen updates.